Airdrie helps

PROVIDING PPE TO THOSE IN NEED

BY STACIE GAETZ

“I personally wanted to do something positive and supportive for people whose job puts them at risk while they try to keep others safe and healthy”

Airdrie is known as a community that comes together to help those who need it and the COVID-19 pandemic has given residents a chance to prove that true once again.

Whether they are using their sewing skills, technological know-how, organizational capabilities or just their generous spirit, the people of this city have stepped up during this difficult time.

ABUNDANCE OF BAGS A local woman and her mom could have never imagined that the Facebook page they would create to make cloth bags for frontline workers would grow to include 300 volunteers and more than 7,800 bags.

Nicole Proseilo started the social media group Bags for the Frontlines (Calgary and area) with her mom Janet in April after seeing local nurse Janette Rees reach out on Facebook asking if anyone made the item.

“It’s crazy!” she says. “I didn’t think it would ever get this big – I mean, 300-plus volunteers. It’s so wonderful to see people who want to give back and help out like this.”

The bags are a simple rectangle of fabric with a drawstring, designed for workers to put their scrubs in when they are done a shift and bring them home safely to wash, so their family members aren’t exposed.

Every bag includes a thank-you note made by local residents and a headband, ear saver or face mask.

“I’ve had health care professionals make a big difference in my life so I wanted to give back to them and help out in any small way that I could,” says Proseilo.

“You have no idea how much it impacts the doctors and nurses. I have been interacting with them a bit and they all want to give money or re-pay us in some way. I tell them that this is from the heart and we just want them and their staff to stay safe.”

One of the volunteers, Cathy Perrotta, is Proseilo’s former teacher at George McDougall High School.

“I personally wanted to do something positive and supportive for people whose job puts them at risk while they try to keep others safe and healthy,” says Perrotta.

“It was actually very therapeutic and gave structure to my day. I had a quota I sewed each day. It became a new routine for me.”